Vincent

Vincent, 51, has seven children and is an experienced farmer in Chibombo District, Zambia. He has been producing fresh maize, watermelons, onions, and butternut squash for the past 10 years. He is asking for a Kiva loan so that he can obtain a water pump to be used to irrigate and expand his farm.

Equipment such as a water pump can be a major boost for many vegetable farmers such as Vincent, as it allows for increased production and more predictable yields due to irrigation. Unfortunately, the upfront cost of such a water pump can be very prohibitive. Once he secures a loan, Vincent will be able to get a water pump from Rent-to-Own, which will deliver the equipment to his farm, as well as provide training on how to use and maintain it.

With a pump, Vincent will be able to irrigate his crops in less time while also expanding his farm. He hopes to be able to produce enough to hire a vehicle to transport his crops to sell at a major market in Lusaka, the capital city. Vincent plans to invest the new profits in animals, which can also help him to plough his fields in future years.

It is for this reason Vincent is asking Kiva lenders to help him with the loan so that he can secure a water pump as soon as possible.

Additional Information

More information about this loan

This Kiva loan will be used to provide borrowers with needed goods or services, as opposed to cash or financial credit.

About Rent-to-Own

Rent-to-Ownis a social enterprise that supports entrepreneurs in rural Zambia by providing financing and access to productive assets at low prices. The company uses a product catalogue for clients to purchase equipment needed to grow their businesses, and a network of local agents who leverage their social networks to decide if clients are credit-worthy.

Once clients are approved, Rent-to-Own provides a holistic set of services including delivery, installation, training, and repair services for their equipment to give clients the highest possible chance of succeeding. All equipment has a 30% mark-up over Rent-to-Own's purchase price. This mark-up covers all the logistical transportation costs that Rent-to-Own incurs in order to deliver the asset to the borrower, to provide training, ongoing support and to cover transaction costs. Kiva lenders’ funds are used to test new forms of asset financing to help more clients in new and innovative ways.

Rent-to-Own joined Kiva through our Experimental Partnership Program, and has therefore received a lighter level of due diligence. Accordingly, loans associated with this partner carry a higher level of risk than typical Kiva loans.

This Kiva loan will be used to provide borrowers with needed goods or services, as opposed to cash or financial credit.